Perturbation training to promote safe independent mobility post-stroke: study protocol for a randomized controlled...

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Rehabilitation Science
• Gerontology

Background:

• Falls are a common complication post-stroke, significantly impacting mobility and independence.
• While exercise benefits healthy older adults, its effectiveness in preventing falls post-stroke remains limited.
• Improving reactive balance control is crucial for preventing falls, as falls occur when balance recovery fails.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if perturbation-based balance training reduces daily falls in individuals with chronic stroke.
• To assess the impact of perturbation training on balance confidence and activity restriction.
• To evaluate the effect of perturbation training on functional balance and mobility.

Main Methods:

• Recruitment of individuals with chronic stroke.
• Random assignment to either perturbation training or traditional balance training groups.
• Training conducted twice weekly for six weeks, followed by 12 months of fall and activity monitoring.

Main Results:

• The study is designed to collect data on fall occurrence, balance confidence, activity restriction, functional balance, and mobility.
• Standardized clinical tools will be used for pre- and post-training assessments.
• Results will indicate the efficacy of perturbation training compared to traditional methods.

Conclusions:

• Falls pose a significant challenge for stroke survivors, with limited evidence for effective prevention strategies.
• Perturbation training presents a novel and promising intervention for fall prevention in this population.
• Successful implementation could improve safe mobility and daily life engagement for individuals post-stroke.